English-learner an inspiration to her peers, educators
By Cary Rodda, Writer/Reporter

School spirit: Two years ago, Leslie Sandoval couldn't speak English. Now she is considered an inspirational peer leader. Middle school is a perilous time for adolescents. But the challenges are even greater for students like Leslie Sandoval, who arrived in the United States from Mexico as a seventh grader speaking no English.

Fortunately, Leslie has a family who was determined to see her succeed, and a group of educators at Colina Middle School in the Conejo Valley USD that made sure that school was an enriching place for Leslie to learn and grow.

When Leslie arrived at Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks, her mother made it clear that the family expected Leslie to take English as a Second Language classes for just one year, and then be mainstreamed into regular classes. Leslie's counselor, Sam Kane, said the school's response was, "We like that goal, and we'll give it our best shot."

Kane is a member of the support team that made it possible for Leslie to represent Region 13 in ACSA's Every Student Succeeding program.

"Leslie is very spirited," Kane said. "She's not just into herself. She inspires an esprit de corps among other students, encouraging them to get involved in school activities." Kane said Leslie, who is a peer tutor, helps other students who are just learning the language and encourages those who aren't as self-motivated as she is.

Thanks to that motivation, when Leslie enters high school this fall she will be taking all regular classes. She will also have a foundation of success to build on.

Leslie took advantage of several incentive programs Colina Middle School offers. One program, Renaissance Citizenship Development, rewards students for good grades and citizenship. Another program, arranged through a local
savings and loan association, offers savings account certificates of $10 per trimester to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or better.

The school also offers Passport to Reading and Passport to Writing classes to help promote skills of students who score low on standardized tests. Leslie volunteered to take these extra-hours classes, on top of her regular load.

Educators at Colina Middle School believe that it's important to include all students in as many school activities as possible.

"For everything we do," Kane said, "we always ask, 'Is it clear to all kids what this activity is and that it's open to them? Do they know how to participate?' Our staff monitors every single activity to make sure every segment of the school population is included."

Kane said it's also important for "motivated kids like Leslie to be encouraged to take leadership positions at school."

Rich Malfatti, president of ACSA Region 13 and superintendent of the Somis UESD, said that when students like Leslie succeed, the role of educators is underscored.

"Kids come to us with different abilities, but that doesn't mean they all can't achieve," Malfatti said. "It's the job of school leaders to find the way to help each student blossom and grow."

In addition to Kane, members of Leslie's Every Student Succeeding support team include Colina teachers Tracy Krug, Mike Hozman and Linda Stamper, and Colina counselor Lisa Severns.

ACSA's Every Student Succeeding recipients will be honored November 11-13, 1999, at the ACSA Annual Conference at the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, California. To register for the Conference, call ACSA's Professional Development and Educational Collaboratives Department at (800) 672-3494 or (650) 692-4300.